Optimising seed sourcing for effective ecological restoration. This project aims to address the sourcing of native seed for ecological restoration under global change. The great demand for native seed to deliver ecological restoration provides a clear need and responsibility to use this seed as efficiently as possible. This project expects to develop detailed new knowledge that links plant and environmental genomics, plant physiology, seed and soil biology in embedded experiments at post-mining ....Optimising seed sourcing for effective ecological restoration. This project aims to address the sourcing of native seed for ecological restoration under global change. The great demand for native seed to deliver ecological restoration provides a clear need and responsibility to use this seed as efficiently as possible. This project expects to develop detailed new knowledge that links plant and environmental genomics, plant physiology, seed and soil biology in embedded experiments at post-mining rehabilitation sites. Expected outcomes include clear industry guidelines that refine seed sourcing strategies for ecological restoration for current and future climates. This should provide significant benefits for improved ecological restoration outcomes when using native seed today and into the future.Read moreRead less
Spatial scale of influence of riparian and catchment land use on stream ecosystem health. Human activities at the landscape scale comprise one of the greatest threats to the ecological integrity of river ecosystems. Government and community groups across Australia are making significant efforts in riparian protection and rehabilitation in an attempt to improve the health of degraded waterways but are hampered in their goal to maximise the environmental gains for every dollar or unit effort inve ....Spatial scale of influence of riparian and catchment land use on stream ecosystem health. Human activities at the landscape scale comprise one of the greatest threats to the ecological integrity of river ecosystems. Government and community groups across Australia are making significant efforts in riparian protection and rehabilitation in an attempt to improve the health of degraded waterways but are hampered in their goal to maximise the environmental gains for every dollar or unit effort invested. The proposed research on understanding the spatial scale of influence of land use and the aggregative effects on stream ecosystems will provide a robust framework to assess various options and optimise benefits from management actions. Read moreRead less
The evolution and maintenance of specificity, mutualism and diversity in plant-soil microbe interactions. This research will significantly advance knowledge regarding the evolution of mutualisms between plant and soil microbes. Results will provide valuable data on the importance of below-ground microbial community structure to growth and productivity of an ecologically important component of the Australian flora (Acacia spp.), and contribute to the development of best ecosystem restoration prac ....The evolution and maintenance of specificity, mutualism and diversity in plant-soil microbe interactions. This research will significantly advance knowledge regarding the evolution of mutualisms between plant and soil microbes. Results will provide valuable data on the importance of below-ground microbial community structure to growth and productivity of an ecologically important component of the Australian flora (Acacia spp.), and contribute to the development of best ecosystem restoration practices. Furthermore, it will see the continued development of the Acacia-rhizobia system as a world-class model for exploring interactions between perennial legumes and microbial symbionts. The research also investigates the adaptability and potential for rapid evolution of critical elements of the soil microflora to environmental change.Read moreRead less
Cascading effects of Australia's ecological extinctions on biodiversity and ecosystem function. The current rate of species extinctions is so extensive that it has been described as the “sixth mass extinction”. In Australian ecosystems, extinctions and declines of mammals have been dramatic, with formerly abundant species now “ecologically extinct”, meaning they are too rare to continue to play important ecological roles. The loss of entire functional guilds may have cascading effects on biodive ....Cascading effects of Australia's ecological extinctions on biodiversity and ecosystem function. The current rate of species extinctions is so extensive that it has been described as the “sixth mass extinction”. In Australian ecosystems, extinctions and declines of mammals have been dramatic, with formerly abundant species now “ecologically extinct”, meaning they are too rare to continue to play important ecological roles. The loss of entire functional guilds may have cascading effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function. This project uses a multi-scalar experimental approach to investigate the broader impacts of mammal declines on Australian ecosystems, accounting for interactions with climate. The outcomes will include new insights into the pre-European state of Australian ecosystems and more realistic targets for ecosystem restoration.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100992
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,216.00
Summary
A novel epigenetic clock tool to conserve Australia’s threatened seabirds. The aim is to develop a novel epigenetic technique for the demographic assessment of long-lived seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels, for application to the conservation of 11 threatened species breeding across Australia. A major innovation will be an affordable and fieldwork-friendly technique to demographically fingerprint any population, ending the large amount of guesswork currently necessary in management. The ....A novel epigenetic clock tool to conserve Australia’s threatened seabirds. The aim is to develop a novel epigenetic technique for the demographic assessment of long-lived seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels, for application to the conservation of 11 threatened species breeding across Australia. A major innovation will be an affordable and fieldwork-friendly technique to demographically fingerprint any population, ending the large amount of guesswork currently necessary in management. The outcome is expected to enable (i) scientists and wildlife managers to impute the impact of threats and management activities on seabird populations, allowing quantitative scenario modelling, and (ii) stakeholders to analyse numerous threats and optimise management responses to these through research-based decision-making.Read moreRead less
Biodiversity conservation, vegetation restoration and landscape design. There has been considerable recent activity through major Government-funded programs to restore native vegetation. Despite extensive expenditure, the biodiversity conservation values of restoration remain very poorly known. This innovative project will address this major knowledge gap. It will generate quality data and new principles to guide restoration that maximizes biodiversity conservation. The principal aim is to estim ....Biodiversity conservation, vegetation restoration and landscape design. There has been considerable recent activity through major Government-funded programs to restore native vegetation. Despite extensive expenditure, the biodiversity conservation values of restoration remain very poorly known. This innovative project will address this major knowledge gap. It will generate quality data and new principles to guide restoration that maximizes biodiversity conservation. The principal aim is to estimate tree planting effects on vertebrates and assess whether the effects are consistent across different landscapes, farm units and regions. New insights from the project will aid the design of cost-effective and ecologically-effective restoration programs for future landscapes in rural Australian production environments.Read moreRead less
Overcoming multiple constraints to wetland forest restoration. This project aims to determine the efficacy of different approaches for restoring wetland forests at the landscape scale. The death and decline of Victoria’s wetland forests, crucial habitat for the endangered helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater's possum, most likely result from modified flooding patterns, low native tree and shrub recruitment and increased competition from understorey plants. The project intends to reinstate a more n ....Overcoming multiple constraints to wetland forest restoration. This project aims to determine the efficacy of different approaches for restoring wetland forests at the landscape scale. The death and decline of Victoria’s wetland forests, crucial habitat for the endangered helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater's possum, most likely result from modified flooding patterns, low native tree and shrub recruitment and increased competition from understorey plants. The project intends to reinstate a more natural flood regime, planting native species and reducing competition from dense understorey vegetation. In this way, the project aims to test and advance ecological theory, guide wetland restoration and inform management plans for saving Victoria’s iconic fauna.Read moreRead less
Biogeochemistry of ferruginous duricrusts. The project is focussed on the examination and application of microbial iron cycling in the formation of geologically stable, iron duricrusts in tropical regimes. The aim of the project is to develop a site-scale bioremediation strategy for iron ore mines by re-establishing canga, which are ‘ancient’ distinct ecosystems possessing unique plant species rarely found on Earth. This university-industry collaboration aims to produce economic benefits for the ....Biogeochemistry of ferruginous duricrusts. The project is focussed on the examination and application of microbial iron cycling in the formation of geologically stable, iron duricrusts in tropical regimes. The aim of the project is to develop a site-scale bioremediation strategy for iron ore mines by re-establishing canga, which are ‘ancient’ distinct ecosystems possessing unique plant species rarely found on Earth. This university-industry collaboration aims to produce economic benefits for the world’s iron mining industry through advanced training in mining-related research, and through the completion of the mining life cycle by site remediation, enhancing Australia’s position as a global leader in providing innovative solutions to today’s mining challenges.Read moreRead less
A Future Beyond the Wall: Improving Post-release Employment Outcomes for People Leaving Prison. Engaging in meaningful work has been shown to reduce re-offending by ex-prisoners, but few prison releasees internationally or in Australia gain employment, and successful pathways to employment for this group are poorly researched and understood. This study aims to gather and analyse, for the first time, comparative data from Australian jurisdictions and employment agencies on the relationship betwee ....A Future Beyond the Wall: Improving Post-release Employment Outcomes for People Leaving Prison. Engaging in meaningful work has been shown to reduce re-offending by ex-prisoners, but few prison releasees internationally or in Australia gain employment, and successful pathways to employment for this group are poorly researched and understood. This study aims to gather and analyse, for the first time, comparative data from Australian jurisdictions and employment agencies on the relationship between in-prison and post-prison vocational education and employment programs, employment and recidivism. It aims to identify effective elements, strategies, program and policy directions in offender training and employment. This is a unique partnership amongst key academics in the field, peak national bodies, correctional and employment organisations.Read moreRead less
Understanding successional processes to maintain vertebrate populations in production landscapes. This project will develop principles that will help maintain biodiversity across production landscapes and provide national benefits by furthering the ability of resource extraction industries to conduct their activities in areas of conservation value, while maintaining those values. By providing greater confidence in the ability of land managers to balance the needs of resource extraction and socia ....Understanding successional processes to maintain vertebrate populations in production landscapes. This project will develop principles that will help maintain biodiversity across production landscapes and provide national benefits by furthering the ability of resource extraction industries to conduct their activities in areas of conservation value, while maintaining those values. By providing greater confidence in the ability of land managers to balance the needs of resource extraction and social benefits, such as conservation, recreation, water management and tourism, the project will have important community benefits. Given the high level of endemism in the jarrah forest, this project will also help maintain biodiversity and will provide a critical national benefit.Read moreRead less